Crossing Division

What is a Precinct Committee Officer, and why should you consider running for the position? Filing week is next week (May16-20), and you could run for this most local of elected positions!

Chair and Vice Chair of the 27th LD Democrats, Justin Camarata and Anna Nepomuceno, who also have years of experience as PCOs, join host Evelyn Lopez to talk about what a PCO does, and why it’s the backbone of local politics, voter engagement, and winning campaigns. If you’ve been looking for a way to get more involved in your neighborhood and community, or if you have some civic or political issues that you are passionate about, this might be a great starting point!

Listen to our conversation and check out these additional resources:

Info By Address (pierce.wa.us)

Become a Precinct Committee Officer – Washington Democrats (wa-democrats.org)

Political organization | Pierce County Democrats | Washington (piercecountydems.com)

Dates and Deadlines 2022 – Elections & Voting – WA Secretary of State

COMMENTARY: What is and why become a PCO? (nwasianweekly.com)

If you have questions, please get in touch!

Evelyn Lopez:  [email protected]    @True_Tacoma

Anna Nepomucena:  [email protected]    @anepintacoma

Justin Camarata:  [email protected]   @justincamarata

If you live in the 98404 or 98409 zip codes you can VOTE on creative arts and science projects for your community! Voting is open through May 13. Go to www.tacomacreates.org to vote, or look for ballots in your community!

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and Tacoma Creates have partnered to develop community art proposals for South Tacoma and the Eastside. And now it’s time to vote on the projects that you would like to see come to life.

Victor Rodriguez and Liesl Santkuyl join host Evelyn Lopez to talk about participatory budgeting and development of community-based arts and sciences proposals for Tacoma’s Communities of Focus.

Our communities are strengthened through art, culture, heritage, and the people who live, work, and go to school in them. Strong communities lead to stronger residents, and especially as we work through the impacts of COVID 19, strong communities and strong Tacomans are critically important  to our civic wellbeing.

Right now, if you live, work, or have children in school in zip codes 98404 or 98409, you can vote on art programs and projects to enrich your community. YOU get to decide which projects should be funded with Tacoma Creates tax revenues.

Check out the programs at the Tacoma Creates website–they are all fantastic! For South Tacoma, you can choose from:

For East Tacoma, you can choose from:

The winners will be revealed on June 1.

Questions or comments on this podcast? Get in touch!

Evelyn Lopez:   [email protected]    @True_Tacoma

The Pierce County Council recently passed an ambitious comprehensive plan to end homelessness. Councilmember Ryan Miller sits down with host Evelyn Lopez to talk about what makes this plan different, and what will be needed to bring it to life.

We also talk about what other significant issues are ahead for the Pierce County Council–including efforts to develop effective oversight of county policing and the Sheriff!

This is a great conversation for anyone interested in keeping up with the County!

Links:

County Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness:  Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness | Pierce County, WA – Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness:  Information – Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness (pchomeless.org)

Listen and let us know what you think!

Contact Evelyn Lopez:

Currently, there are at least 3,300 of our neighbors living unhoused in Pierce County — realistically, that number is much higher. The situation involves a complicated set of problems: high housing prices, lack of affordable housing options even if people have housing vouchers, severe income inequality and systemic racism, substance and behavioral health complications, domestic violence, and the trauma of modern life. Over the last two years of COVID all of these problems have worsened.

A complicated set of problems requires a comprehensive plan of action. Pierce County has been working on just that. Pierce County Social Service Supervisors Gerrit Nyland, and Delmar M. Algee III join host Evelyn Lopez to discuss the county’s plan, what it is, and what will be required to make a significant change in our homelessness numbers (spoiler alert: about $120 million per year, and strong management).

Please take a look at the plan, and particularly the shelter action plan that details current shelter options and the costs of adding short-term and long-term shelter spaces. Then think about how you can get involved now, and how you can support this process. The comprehensive plan will come to the County Council for review and action in March.

https://www.piercecountywa.gov/7309/2021-Comprehensive-Plan-to-End-Homelessn

Have questions or comments? We would be happy to hear from you!

Gerrit Nyland:  [email protected]

Delmar Algee:  [email protected]

Evelyn Lopez:  [email protected]   @TrueTacoma

Sharlett Mena is running for State Representative for the 29th Legislative District. She sat down with host Evelyn Lopez to talk about running for office, what she’s been working on since 2020, and her vision for the district.

Sharlett is dedicated to connecting with younger voters, people who have not voted regularly, and neighbors who may have never voted. She has great ideas for increasing meaningful participation in the lawmaking process. Her care for the community and her thoughtful assessment of the issues will make you want to learn more about her.

Have additional questions for Sharlett? Contact her at SharlettMena.org and find out how you can help get her into the Legislature!

Thoughts or feedback on this episode? Let us know!

Evelyn Lopez:   [email protected]     @True_Tacoma

This is such an interesting conversation!

Aaron Sherman joins host Evelyn Lopez to explore how candidates can use social media to engage with voters, elected leaders can connect with constituents, and public agencies can share vital information about their services.

We are living in a time of great information and disinformation. Stepping away from social media won’t make it better–just more one-sided. And finding ways to effectively connect with people could be the key to engaging new voters.

People want authentic connections with their government. How do we do that? What platforms work best? Listen and let us know what you think!

Evelyn Lopez    [email protected]    @True_Tacoma

Host Evelyn Lopez talks with Peter Drury and Marquay Seamster about Wellspring Family Services and the organization’s partnership with Tacoma Housing Authority, Tacoma Public Schools, and Pierce County to identify and assist families and students facing homelessness.

This is a significant problem in Tacoma. For every one person you might see living on the streets, there are five other people who are also dealing with a lack of housing, and many of them are families with children. These are our neighbors, living in cars, shifting from one short term space to another, trying to work and keep their kids in school. This is the hidden epidemic of homelessness.

There are no quick solutions to these problems, but helping people sort through the barriers to finding permanent housing, advocating and establishing relationships of trust with apartments and landlords can ease the burden. Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think.

Wellspring Family Services:  Home – Wellspring (wellspringfs.org)

Evelyn Lopez:  [email protected]   @True_Tacoma

King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay wants to demystify running for political office. He is bringing his Build the Bench program to Tacoma on November 20, 2021 (link below). The Tacoma program will feature 28th LD Senator T’wina Nobles, 27th LD Senator Yasmin Trudeau, and 27th LD Democratic Committee Chair Justin Camarata. They will share their stories of how they decided to enter politics, and their wisdom about how to get started. This will be a great program for anyone who may want to run for office.

Host Evelyn Lopez talks with Girmay about his path to political office, and his goals for bringing a new generation into local politics and increasing representation for marginalized communities.

Sign up for Build the Bench Tacoma:  https://www.electgirmay.com/bench

Listen and let us know what you think!

Evelyn Lopez:  [email protected]    @True_Tacoma

Well, it’s been a busy 10 days in Pierce County! The Attorney General filed criminal charges against Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer, and then the County’s investigative report on the Sheriff’s conduct was issued. While both were covered in local and national news media, when you read the actual Determination of Probable Cause, and the Moran Investigative Report, there are far more disturbing details.

So, we read it for you.

Part 1 is the AGO’s Declaration for Determination of Probable Cause. You can also read it here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/criminal-charges-filed-against-pierce-county-sheriff

Part 2 is the Moran Investigative Report. You can read it, and see the attachments here:  https://www.piercecountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/109150/Moran-Investigation-Oct-2021-findings

Please listen–it’s a long episode, but the details are significant. Then consider what should happen next. If you have questions or comments, send them our way!

Evelyn Lopez:  [email protected]     @True_Tacoma

There are three nominees to fill the 27th Legislative District Senate seat vacancy, and this is the third of three interviews with the nominees. Senator Jeannie Darneille is taking a position with the Department of Corrections, and that has created a vacant legislative position. The new Senator will be selected by the Pierce County Council from three nominees proposed by the 27th LD Democratic Precinct Committee Officers. The County Council will meet on November 2 to begin the appointment decision making process.

This is your opportunity to learn more about Dr. LaMont Green, who has a vast knowledge about homelessness solutions, veterans’ services, local needs and a deep love for Tacoma.